Malaysia eager to have tie-up with HAL

Bangalore, June 10 (UNI) Malaysia evinced keen interest in forging a tie-up with Indian defence organisation Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for maintenance and supply of spares to its Sukhoi fighter aircraft, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak said today.

Speaking to newspersons here after inaugurating a showroom of Flexoffice, a leading manufacturer of office modular furniture in Kuala Lumpur, he said he visited the HAL plant in Nasik earlier in the day and was impressed by its capabilities to manufacture, operate and maintain the Russian fighter aircraft.

Mr Razak said Malaysia was also exploring possibilities to have business pacts with HAL for supplying spares and certain ground handling equipment for its Sukhoi fleets. Besides, his country was interested in having its aviation manpower trained by HAL, he added.

The visiting dignitary said the defence tie-ups with India was given a push after the historic mutual agreement signed between the two countries recently.

Mr Razak said his country also wished to facilitate its private sector companies to set up collaborative projects in the biotech sector, especially in manufacture of pharmaceutical drugs. Malaysia also wanted to have tie-ups with Indian companies in infrastructure development, engineering and housing projects.

Earlier, after inaugurating the showroom, he said India with its large population would offer a lot of opportunities for bilateral trade and urged the Malaysian companies to grab the opportunities with core competence and quality.

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